Jason Cadee and Maddison Rocci lead list of the NBL1 North’s top 10 signings for 2021 season
Big name recruits has fans eagerly anticipating the inaugural NBL1 North season as the league’s top 10 signings are named. SEE WHO MADE IT
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There’s been no shortage of big name recruits for the inaugural NBL1 North competition as the addition of Boomers and Opals stars as well as dominant national league talents have helped the 2021 season become the most anticipated Queensland state league in history.
After the disappointment of having the 2020 season cancelled due to COVID-19, the key signings have flooded in over recent months as each team around the state start the fight to claim the inaugural NBL1 North title.
Led by the likes of national squad members such as Cayla George, Mitch McCarron and Maddison Rocci, the upcoming season will be arguably the most star-studded Queensland competition in recent memory.
There is also more to come with both Cairns teams yet to announce any signings but the Marlins men’s team expected to be stacked with NBL talent as well as rumours dominant big man Nate Jawai could be set to suit up this season.
And with tip-off just a fortnight away, The Courier-Mail has named its top 10 signings for both the men’s and women’s NBL1 North competition so far.
See who features on the list below.
TOP 10 NBL1 NORTH SIGNINGS
STEPH REID – Townsville Flames
One of the WNBL’s most improved players this past season, Steph Reid is set to light up the NBL1 North competition as well. The speedster will be a fab favourite around the league, as well as with the Townsville faithful, and her defensive pressure and ability to make plays for herself and others on the offensive end will make her a nightmare for opposition teams and coaches. With coach Shannon Seebohm’s team also featuring the likes of WNBL veteran Mia Murray, Reid will play a major role in helping the Flames be a contender this NBL1 season.
ABBY BISHOP – Ipswich Force
Not many people have a better resume in the NBL1 North women’s competition than boom Ipswich Force women’s recruit Abby Bishop. Having won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm. represented Australia at the Olympic Games, won a WNBL MVP and having played with some of the biggest teams in Europe, Bishop is a welcome sight to return to the Queensland league. Having last played with Rockhampton in 2019, Bishop is a huge addition for coach Brady Walmsley’s already talented Force roster.
MATT HODGSON – Ipswich Force
In modern day sport where money talks, it’s not often you see a national league talent return to their junior club at the senior level. But that’s exactly what big man Matthew Hodgson is doing this NBL1 North season after this week signing to play for his junior club, the Ipswich Force this year. The NBL veteran and current Brisbane Bullet returns home with an impressive resume after years in the top league as well as having represented Australia at the senior level. He will form an impressive combination with another homegrown product in point guard Jason Ralph and if the club can secure Nathan Sobey’s services again, Chris Riches’ side will be one to watch.
LAUREN MANSFIELD – Gold Coast Rollers
Veteran WNBL guard returns for another season in Queensland but this time with the powerhouse Gold Coast Rollers. After suiting up for the RedCity Roar in last year’s QSL, the Sydney Uni Flames star will give the Gold Coast a huge boost as they look to repeat the success they had in 2019 when they made the QBL grand final. But this time under new coach Jackie Brown, Mansfield will give the Rollers much-needed scoring punch as well as the ability to create space for her teammates and invaluable leadership.
MITCH MCCARRON – Northside Wizards
The biggest new addition to the Queensland league, Mitch McCarron is returning to his home state to lead the Northside Wizards in the NBL1 North – the club’s first year back in the state’s elite competition since 2015. And with the club already boosted by a new stadium at the South Pine Sports Complex, McCarron’s signing will only add more hype behind Northside’s return as the Melbourne United point guard brings his high-flying game to Nick Roberts’ side. But as for George in the women’s competition, the only question is how many games will McCarron miss due to NBL and Boomers commitments?
MIKAELA RUEF – Logan Thunder
The most dominant big in the Queensland league in her past two seasons as a member of the Logan Thunder, Mikaela Ruef re-signed with the team after they went undefeated to claim last year’s QSL title. Ruef has averaged more than 20 points and 20 rebounds across her tenure with Logan, including winning the QBL MVP in her first year in the league in 2019. The Stanford graduate also comes into the season on the back of playing in the WNBL for Canberra and also professionally in France.
SHAUN BRUCE – Logan Thunder
After years of trying, the Logan Thunder have finally got their man. Arguably Logan’s biggest ever men’s signing, other than Thunder junior Mitch Young joining the team when they returned to the state league in 2015, the former MVP will form one of the best backcourts in the league with Jeremy Kendle – only to be rivalled by Jason Cadee and Anthony Drmic at the Gold Coast. Having already dominated the state league with Mackay and Rockhampton, the current Sydney Kings guard will look to try and push the Thunder towards their first men’s state title.
CAYLA GEORGE – Mackay Meteorettes
A giant signing in more ways than one! Talented and experienced Opals player Cayla George continues Mackay’s recent trend of signing star bigs after having hometown girl Marianna Tolo play for the Meteorettes during the 2019 QBL season. George was dominant this past WNBL season for the Melbourne Boomers and is expected to feature for the Opals at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. She will form one of the best big combinations in the league with Adelaide Lightning’s Chelsea Brooke but the only question is how many games will George miss due to national commitments?
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MADDISON ROCCI – Southern Districts Spartans
Arguably the biggest signing of the off-season for the women’s competition, last year’s Queensland State League MVP and Canberra Capitals WNBL team MVP has joined the powerhouse Southern Districts Spartans. A stellar past WNBL season, where she averaged 16 points per game for the Capitals, earned the dynamic scoring guard a spot in the Australian Opals squad for the Tokyo Olympics. Rocci is a huge addition for the Spartans, who despite finishing runners-up in the QSL last year, won three consecutive QBL titles before that. The Victorian product is also a major loss for the University of Sunshine Coast Rip who will find it tough to replace the star.
JASON CADEE – Gold Coast Rollers
The back-to-back defending champion is on his way to the Gold Coast to see if he can help the Rollers claim a droughtbreaking championship. Brisbane Bullets star guard Jason Cadee has been the most dominant player over the past two seasons for the Brisbane Capitals, helping the club to its first state title in 17 years in 2019 and dropping 40 points to lead the team to a QSL championship last year. But now with the Rollers, Cadee will lead the most talented team on paper with Gold Coast also boasting the likes of Bullets teammates Anthony Drmic and Callum Dalton as well as former Bullet Cameron Goldfinch and more.
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